LPA Fee Increase: Why a £10 Change Shouldn't Distract from Your Peace of Mind
We've noticed a lot of discussion online about the upcoming £10 increase to Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) fees. Some people are genuinely annoyed about it, and we get that—nobody likes seeing costs go up. But we think the conversation is missing the point.
In this article, we'll explain what's actually changing, why it's happening, and—more importantly—why the protection an LPA gives you matters far more than ten pounds. By the end, you'll understand the new fees, but also why they shouldn't be the thing you focus on.
What's Actually Changing with LPA Fees?
Let's start with the facts. The fee for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian is going up from £82 to £92 per LPA. That takes effect on 17 November, 2025.
Most people need two LPAs—one for property and financial affairs, and another for health and welfare decisions. So the total cost for a pair goes from £164 to £184.
Here's the honest truth: because of how long it takes to prepare and register an LPA properly, if you're only just starting to think about this now, you're not going to get it done under the old fee. It's worth planning for the new £92 rate.
Why is This Happening?
The Ministry of Justice says the increase is to cover operational costs at the Office of the Public Guardian—things like staffing, administration, and keeping their systems up to date. This is the first fee increase since 2017, when fees were actually reduced. So we've had eight years at £82.
Look, we understand nobody's happy about it. We've seen people online calling it a stealth tax, and frustration is natural. But the OPG does important work protecting vulnerable people, and like any organisation, their costs change over time. It's worth keeping that context in mind.
Here's What Actually Matters: Protection, Control, and Peace of Mind
An extra £10 per LPA is annoying. We're not going to pretend it isn't. But when it comes to LPAs, we're not really talking about £10—we're talking about something far bigger: protection, control, and peace of mind for you and your family.
Think about what happens if you don't have an LPA in place. If you lose mental capacity without these documents, your family has to apply to the Court of Protection to get legal authority to manage your affairs. And that process is:
Expensive: Often thousands of pounds, far more than LPA fees
Slow: The legal process takes time, causing delays when you need decisions made quickly
Stressful: It puts enormous pressure on your loved ones during an already difficult time
Potentially divisive: It can lead to family disagreements about who should be in charge
When we hear people fixating on a £10 increase, we want to say: you're looking at the wrong number. The real cost isn't an extra tenner—it's what happens to your family if you don't have an LPA at all.
Our job at Westwood Estate Planning is to make sure your LPAs are done properly, registered correctly, and give you confidence that if something happens, the people you trust can step in without bureaucracy, delay, or family conflict. That's what you're really paying for.
And if cost is genuinely a barrier, fee exemptions and remissions are still available for people who qualify.
What You Should Actually Be Thinking About
Yes, the fee's going up. But honestly, that shouldn't change whether you decide to put LPAs in place.
The question isn't "Is it £82 or £92?" The question is: "Do I have the protection in place that my family will need if something happens to me?"
If the answer's no, then a ten-pound difference shouldn't be what stops you.
How We Can Help
At Westwood Estate Planning, we guide you through the process of setting up your LPAs with straightforward advice and genuine support. We focus on making sure you understand what you're putting in place and why it matters, so you have real confidence that your future is protected and your family won't face unnecessary burden if the worst happens.
Ready to Get Your LPAs Sorted?
If you want to have a proper conversation about what LPAs actually mean for you and your family, book a free 15-minute chat with us. No pressure, no hard sell—just clarity on something that genuinely matters.
https://calendly.com/westwoodep/chat
